On the afternoon of April 6, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao held candid, in-depth and fruitful talks with President Ali Abdullah Saleh of the Republic of Yemen in the Great Hall of the People. Both sides reached broad consensus on further deepening bilateral traditional friendship and upgrading friendly cooperative relations to a new level.

Hu said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties half a century ago, bilateral relations have withstood the tests of changeable international situations and have been continuously deepened and developed. In recent years, bilateral exchanges at all levels have increased with friendship and mutual trust enhanced. Bilateral cooperation has scored remarkable achievements in the areas of economy & trade, energy, culture, education and health and both sides have conducted sound communication and cooperation in international multilateral affairs. Yemen adheres to the one-China policy and supports its grand cause of reunification, which China appreciates. Both countries have become all-weather friends that rely on each other.

Saleh noted that Yemeni people have always held profound friendly feelings towards Chinese people. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, bilateral friendly cooperative relations have been developing smoothly and economic and trade cooperation has scored great achievements. Last year bilateral trade volume reached 3.5 billion US dollars. The Yemeni government is satisfied with sound development of bilateral relations and thanks the Chinese government for its support in all aspects for a long period of time. He emphasized that Yemen will continue to resolutely adopt the one-China policy and as always support its grand cause of reunification.

Hu indicated that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, China would like to work with Yemen to carry on the past, open a way for future and further strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation in the following three aspects. First, to promote dialogue and exchanges at all levels and continuously build up mutual political trust. Both sides should strengthen communication and consultations between their leaders and governments and reinforce friendly exchanges between their legislatures and parties, as well as bilateral coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs. Second, to vigorously expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and energy and pursue common development. Both sides should offer trade facilitation to each other, improve trade mix, actively explore new approaches and ways for expanding trade and steadily enhance the level of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. China supports and welcomes businesses of the two countries to increase investment in each other and would like to expand bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy, infrastructure construction and fishery. Third, to conduct in-depth exchanges in other fields and consolidate bilateral traditional friendship. It is hoped that both sides will promote all-round development of their contact and cooperation in humanities and other areas by commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties so that China-Yemen and China-Arab friendship can be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

Saleh fully agreed with Hu's proposals on deepening bilateral relations and cooperation. He said that to consolidate bilateral traditional friendship and further develop bilateral relations and cooperation is the purpose of his current visit to China, as well as the persistent policy of the Yemeni government. Yemen admires enormous achievements in China's economic and social development, attaches great importance to its development experience and would like to keep closer exchanges with China at a high level and in all aspects and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of economy & trade, energy, investment and infrastructure construction.

When talking about the situation of the Middle East and Gulf region, Hu said that China has always pushed the situation for relaxed and steady development and not agreed with any practice aggravating regional tension. It advocates that related parties should strengthen dialogue, hold consultations on an equal footing and resolve each other's disputes fairly and reasonably through peaceful negotiations according to the UN's related resolutions. It also persists in promoting regional economic growth, encourages broad cultural exchanges and proposes that different civilizations respect each other, learn from each other's strong points, close the gap and seek common progress. China would like to work with Arab countries including Yemen and other members of the international community to continue making efforts for peace and development of the Middle East and Gulf region.

Saleh indicated that both countries share the same views on advancing the peace process of the Middle East, the reconstruction of Iraq and many other regional issues. Yemen and other Arab nations appreciate China for its fair position on the Middle East issue and its important role in promoting peace in the Middle East.

Prior to the talks, President Hu held a welcome ceremony for President Saleh's visit to China in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) Lu Yongxiang, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Meng, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of China Democratic National Construction Association Zhu Xiangyuan, Director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense Zhang Yunchuan, Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo, Vice Chairman of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC) Zhang Guobao, Chinese Ambassador to Yemen Luo Xiaoguang and other officials attended the welcome ceremony.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly attended the signing ceremony of 8 bilateral cooperative documents in economy, trade, telecommunications and other areas. Tang Jiaxuan, Zhang Yunchuan, Dai Bingguo, Zhang Guobao, Luo Xiaoguang and other officials participated in the talks and attended the signing ceremony.